REST AND RELAXATION POLICY

Transcription

1 REST AND RELAXATION POLICY PURPOSE This policy will provide clear guidelines for the implementation of safe relaxation and sleep practices that meet the individual needs of children attending Rowen Street Kindergarten. POLICY STATEMENT 1. VALUES Rowen Street Kindergarten is committed to: providing a positive and nurturing environment for all children attending the service recognising that children have different requirements for relaxation and sleep, and being responsive to those needs to ensure that children feel safe and secure at the service consulting with parents/guardians about their child s individual relaxation and sleep requirements/practices, and ensuring practices at the service are responsive to the values and cultural beliefs of each family its duty of care (refer to Definitions) to all children at Rowen Street Kindergarten, and ensuring that adequate supervision (refer to Definitions) is maintained while children are sleeping, resting or relaxing complying with all legislative requirements, standards and current best practice, including recommendations by SIDS and Kids and Kidsafe (refer to Sources). 2. SCOPE This policy applies to the Approved Provider, Nominated Supervisor, Certified Supervisor, educators, staff, students on placement, volunteers, parents/guardians, children and others attending the programs and activities of Rowen Street Kindergarten. 3. BACKGROUND AND LEGISLATION Background Sleep and rest are vital to children s healthy development. Children who get enough sleep are more engaged and less prone to behavioural problems and moodiness. Sleep also promotes alertness, memory and performance Effective rest and sleep strategies are important to ensure that children feel secure and safe, and ECEC settings have a duty of care to ensure that all children are provided with a high level of safety and comfort when resting or sleeping and to maintain adequate supervision (Childcare and Children s Health, vol 14, no 2, June 2011 refer to Sources). The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) include a focus on social, emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing and health. Development Outcome 3 in both framework documents refers to a child s ability to take increasing responsibility for their own wellbeing. One of the indicators for this capacity is that children recognise and communicate their bodily needs (for example thirst, hunger, rest, comfort, physical activity). The EYLF suggests that to promote this, educators should:

2 consider the pace of the day within the context of the community provide a range of active and restful experiences throughout the day, and support children to make appropriate decisions regarding participation. Employers have a responsibility under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to provide a safe and healthy working environment. This duty extends to others present in the workplace, including children and volunteers. Providing a safe environment for children at the service includes complying with current Australian/New Zealand standards in relation to equipment, such as mattresses (refer to Sources). Legislation and standards Relevant legislation and standards include but are not limited to: Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012 Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Regulations 2012 Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010: Section 167 Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011: Regulation 81 National Quality Standard, Quality Area 2: Children s Health and Safety Standard 2.1: Each child s health needs are supported Element 2.1.2: Each child s comfort is provided for and there are appropriate opportunities to meet each child s needs for sleep, rest and relaxation Occupational Health and Safety Act DEFINITIONS The terms defined in this section relate specifically to this policy. For commonly used terms e.g. Approved Provider, Nominated Supervisor, Regulatory Authority etc. refer to the General Definitions section of this manual. Adequate supervision: (In relation to this policy) supervision entails all children (individuals and groups) in all areas of the service, being in sight and/or hearing of an educator at all times including during toileting, sleep, rest and transition routines. Services are required to comply with the legislative requirements for educator-to-child ratios at all times. Supervision contributes to protecting children from hazards that may emerge in play, including hazards created by the equipment used. Adequate supervision refers to constant, active and diligent supervision of every child at the service. Adequate supervision requires that educators are always in a position to observe each child, respond to individual needs, and immediately intervene if necessary. Variables affecting supervision levels include: number, age and abilities of children number and positioning of educators current activity of each child areas in which the children are engaged in an activity (visibility and accessibility) developmental profile of each child and of the group of children experience, knowledge and skill of each educator need for educators to move between areas (effective communication strategies). Duty of care: A common law concept that refers to the responsibilities of organisations to provide people with an adequate level of protection against harm and all reasonable foreseeable risk of injury. Relaxation/rest: A period of inactivity, solitude, calmness or tranquillity. 5. SOURCES AND RELATED POLICIES Sources Services can check current standards on the SAI Global website at

3 Childcare and Children s Health, vol 14, no 2, June 2011, Sleep and Oral Health. Publication of the Centre for Community Child Health: Belonging, Being & Becoming The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF): EarlyYearsLearningFramework.aspx#key documents Kidsafe Fact Sheets at Safe Sleeping for Infants Ages and Stages fact sheet series ( Sleeping section) Product safety: a guide for businesses and legal practitioners: WorkSafe Victoria, Children s services occupational health and safety compliance kit: childrens-services-occupational-health-and-safety-compliance-kit Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF): Service policies Child Safe Environment Policy Hygiene Policy Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Policy Interactions with Children Policy Occupational Health and Safety Policy Supervision of Children Policy PROCEDURES The Approved Provider is responsible for: taking reasonable steps to ensure the sleep/rest needs of children at the service are met, with regard to the age of children, developmental stages and individual needs (Regulation 81(1)) ensuring parents/guardians are consulted about appropriate relaxation and rest practices for their child protecting children from hazards and harm (Section 167) consulting with staff in relation to OHS issues when purchasing new equipment for the service ensuring adequate supervision of children at the service at all times, including during relaxation and rest ensuring that rooms used for rest and relaxation are well ventilated ensuring that there is adequate space to store bedding in a hygienic manner (refer to Hygiene Policy). The Nominated Supervisor is responsible for: taking reasonable steps to ensure the rest needs of children at the service are met with regard to the age of children, developmental stages and individual needs (Regulation 81(2)) ensuring the educational program provides opportunities for each child to rest or engage in appropriate quiet play activities, as required protecting children from hazards and harm (Section 167) informing the Approved Provider, as soon as is practicable, of any hazards identified in the child s resting environment ensuring adequate supervision of children at the service at all times, including during relaxation and rest

4 storing items such as bedding in a hygienic manner to prevent cross-contamination (refer to Hygiene Policy). Certified Supervisors, educators and other staff are responsible for: providing each child with appropriate opportunities for relaxation and rest according to their needs providing input in relation to OHS issues when new equipment is purchased for the service developing relaxation and rest practices that are responsive to: the individual needs of children at the service parenting beliefs, values, practices and requirements the length of time each child spends at the service circumstance or events occurring at a child s home consistency of practice between home and the service a child s general health and wellbeing the physical environment, including room temperature, lighting, airflow and noise levels minimising distress or discomfort for the children in their care ensuring that resting practices are not used as a behaviour guidance strategy (refer to Interactions with Children Policy) providing a range of opportunities for relaxation throughout the day conducting regular safety checks of equipment used for resting, such as mattresses informing the Nominated Supervisor or Approved Provider, as soon as is practicable, of any hazards identified in the child s resting environment ensuring that any hanging cords, mobiles, curtains and blinds are inaccessible to children who are resting. providing adequate supervision (refer to Definitions) of all children, including during rest and relaxation supervising children displaying symptoms of illness closely, especially when resting (refer to Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Policy) ensuring that artificial heating, such as heat bags and hot-water bottles, is not used to provide warmth ensuring that each child has their own bed linen, and that the Hygiene Policy and procedures are implemented for the cleaning and storage of mattresses and linen documenting and communicating children s rest times to co-workers during shift changes providing information to families about the service s relaxation practices developing communication strategies to inform parents/guardians about their child s rest patterns. encouraging children s independence, and assisting children with dressing as needed. Parents/guardians are responsible for: discussing their child s relaxation and requirements and practices prior to commencing at the service, and when these requirements change providing information on the child s enrolment form if the child requires special items while resting e.g. a comforter or soft toy providing a written medical report if their child is not to be placed on their back during rest. Parents/guardians must communicate alternative resting practices to staff. Volunteers and students, while at the service, are responsible for following this policy and its procedures. EVALUATION In order to assess whether the values and purposes of the policy have been achieved, the Approved Provider will:

5 regularly seek feedback from everyone affected by the policy regarding its effectiveness monitor the implementation, compliance, complaints and incidents in relation to this policy keep the policy up to date with current legislation, research, policy and best practice revise the policy and procedures as part of the service s policy review cycle, or as required notify parents/guardians at least 14 days before making any changes to this policy or its procedures. AUTHORISATION This policy was adopted by the Approved Provider of Rowen Street Kindergarten on [Date]. REVIEW DATE: 15/MARCH/2016